Wyoming’s Governor Authorizes State Troopers to Collaborate with ICE in Immigration Enforcement

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon formalized an agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week. This initiative permits local law enforcement, specifically select members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, to collaborate with federal agents in tracking and detaining undocumented immigrants.

The agreement allows limited troopers in five counties – all key regions traversed by major interstates – to assist ICE in their law enforcement efforts. This collaboration will occur during the execution of regular patrol duties and under the supervision of federal law enforcement, based on a statement from the governor’s office.

This marks the second formal agreement directly established between a state government and ICE. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initiated a similar memorandum, while various counties across the country have also developed cooperative strategies with the federal agency.

Governor Gordon expressed his commitment to bolstering border security. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of effective immigration enforcement in ensuring national security. He highlighted pride in the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s ongoing support for this initiative, reinforcing their commitment through the new agreement with ICE.

Empowering Local Law Enforcement

The Wyoming Highway Patrol, functioning under the oversight of ICE, will now have the authority to act and gather evidence against individuals violating federal immigration laws. This development aligns with a directive from January by President Donald Trump, enabling the Homeland Security Secretary to collaborate with state and local authorities on such enforcement agreements.

Colonel Tim Cameron, the Wyoming Highway Patrol Administrator, pointed out the state’s strategic position as a major transit route for cross-country travel. He remarked, “Our troopers are uniquely positioned to support immigration enforcement through our daily operations along Wyoming’s interstates – key corridors for cross-country travel that are sometimes exploited for unlawful activity.”

Strategically Important Highways

Wyoming hosts the longest interstate in the nation, the Boston-Seattle I-90, which stretches 200 miles through the state’s northern region. Additionally, I-80, running from New Jersey to San Francisco, covers 400 miles across the bottom of Wyoming. I-25 additionally connects from near the southern border in New Mexico to I-90 in Buffalo.

The select troopers participating in this partnership will come from Laramie County, where the state capital Cheyenne is located, as well as Carbon County, home to Rawlins, and Sweetwater County, which includes Rock Springs and Green River. Moreover, specific officers in Campbell and Natrona counties are involved in the initiative, as I-25 runs between both regions along the Nebraska border and into Casper.

Colonel Cameron emphasized that this agreement enhances their capabilities to identify individuals violating federal immigration law. He asserted this will enable them to take appropriate action under the guidance of ICE.

Enhancing Public Safety and Resources

This partnership aims to bolster public safety by expanding local law enforcement’s access to federal resources and intelligence. Furthermore, it strengthens the established cooperative relationships between local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Importantly, Wyoming taxpayers will not incur any extra costs related to this partnership, as the officers will receive specialized training at no charge from federal authorities.

Robert Guadian, a senior official at ICE’s Denver Field Office, praised Governor Gordon for initiating this agreement, calling it a significant